Chapter 56: Chapter 49, Distant and Close Relatives l
Daohua actually wasn’t too upset with Yan Wenxiu; although she disagreed with some of the things he had said that day, she wasn’t one to hold a grudge over it.
Especially considering her eldest brother was just a teenager over ten years old, she felt embarrassed to harp on the issue.
So, after much pestering from Yan Wenkai, she reluctantly made a trip to Zhegui Courtyard.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, they heard laughter coming from inside.
Upon entering, they discovered that members from the second branch of the family, Yan Wenjie, Yan Yihuan, Yan Yile, as well as Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang were all there.
The group was gathered in the six-sided Jiao Pavilion in the courtyard, enjoying tea and reciting poetry.
Seeing that her eldest brother was interacting intimately with Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang, Daohua was somewhat astonished and turned to ask Yan Wenkai, “Fourth brother, is Eldest Brother on good terms with Wenbin and Yishuang?”
Yan Wenkai responded without much thought, “Eldest Brother’s primer was taught by Teacher Lin, and he’s been close with Wenbin and Yishuang since they were young.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua was stunned and incredulously asked, “How could the tutor for Eldest Brother be the younger brother of Aunt Lin?”
Don’t they know that the main wife and the concubines are natural enemies?
Even if both sides could coexist peacefully, having a concubine’s brother teach the legitimate eldest son of the main wife wouldn’t sound right if word got out!
You should know that according to the customs of this era, concubines didn’t hold high status. When the relatives of concubines visited, they wouldn’t be received with family hospitality. Perhaps the head of the household or the madam would meet them if they were favored, but if not, they would be sent away by two or three servants.
Isn’t her cheap father particular about status and position; he even looks down upon a merchant-born madam, right? How could he agree to such a preposterous arrangement?
Yan Wenkai didn’t react as strongly as Daohua and scratched his head, “I can’t remember much from when I was young. It seemed that at that time, father had just become the County Magistrate and was quite busy, and mother had to manage household affairs. Just then, Aunt Lin’s brother came to visit her, and Aunt Lin took the initiative to suggest that Teacher Lin should start Eldest Brother’s primer.”
“Hmph!”
Daohua scoffed.
There was no need to ask further; as soon as his adored wife spoke up, her cheap father must have been so overwhelmed that he agreed.
Looking again at her eldest brother in the pavilion, who was intimately interacting with his half-brother and half-sister, Daohua gained a deeper understanding of Aunt Lin’s tactics.
Within the inner courts, she had the favor of the head of the family and was on good terms with the legitimate eldest son; and at the County Governor’s Office, her brother was devising strategies as a teacher. Truly, Aunt Lin had a strong influence both inside and outside the household. If it weren’t for Aunt Lin’s family being poor, her influence in the Yan Family would undoubtedly be greater than Madam Li’s.
Daohua: “Fourth brother, does Eldest Brother still keep close contact with Shuangxin Courtyard?”
Yan Wenkai, noticing that Daohua seemed upset, remembered that this sister wasn’t too fond of the people from Shuangxin Courtyard and immediately shook his head: “No, ever since he started attending the county school, Eldest Brother has been focusing on his studies. Usually, aside from Wenbin and Yishuang coming over to ask Eldest Brother for help with their questions, he has almost no contact with Shuangxin Courtyard.”
To be honest, he also didn’t like Aunt Lin, and as for Wenbin and Yishuang, he had never really clicked with them anyway.
“Fourth brother, eldest sister!”
The group in the pavilion noticed Daohua and Yan Wenkai standing at the courtyard entrance, and immediately called out to them.
“Come on, let’s go over.”
Yan Wenkai grabbed Daohua and quickly walked towards the pavilion.
“Fourth brother!”
As soon as they stepped into the pavilion, the younger ones, Yan Yishuang, Yan Yile, and Yan Wenbin all stood up and greeted them with beaming smiles.
But as for Daohua…
Yan Yile was still unhappy because she didn’t have the fabric for a beautiful new year’s outfit, and she clearly wasn’t in good spirits these days. Seeing Daohua, she naturally didn’t offer a friendly face. She not only ignored Daohua herself but also stopped Yan Yihuan, who wanted to greet her.
On the other hand, Yan Yishuang and Yan Wenbin were even less likely to initiate conversation with Daohua. Aunt Lin still couldn’t show her face in Shuangxin Courtyard because of Daohua, and both harbored a strong grievance against her.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the pavilion turned somewhat awkward.
Yan Wenjie, who didn’t have a stake in the situation, sat on the side with a smile, watching the scene unfold without any intention of stepping in to ease the tension.
Yan Wenxiu glanced at Daohua, who was isolated by her younger siblings, and sighed, “Why did big sister decide to come here?”
At these words, Daohua raised her eyebrows.
She didn’t care about the others’ disregard.
After all, she didn’t have any real feelings for these so-called brothers and sisters.
But she still cared somewhat about her eldest brother, who shared the same mother.
“Are you not welcoming me, big brother?” Daohua asked with a smile.
Yan Wenxiu’s brows furrowed. He really felt that his big sister’s temperament was rather wild, and she didn’t speak gently at all.
“Why would big sister ask that? How could big brother not welcome you?” Yan Yishuang said with a smile as she stood beside Yan Wenxiu, affectionately tugging at his arm, “Big brother, you agree with what I said, right?”
Yan Wenxiu smiled and nodded, looking towards Daohua, “Big sister is being too sensitive. I am very happy you could come. We were composing poetry; come join us.”
Daohua smiled, “Big brother, it seems you don’t pay much attention to me usually, do you? I haven’t been studying for long; how could I compose poetry already?”
Yan Wenxiu’s expression paused; he really hadn’t considered this.
Yan Yishuang glanced at Yan Wenxiu and took over the conversation, “Big sister, please don’t blame big brother. Big brother has to study and sometimes has to help me and the fifth brother with our doubts. He doesn’t intentionally neglect big sister.”
As soon as these words were uttered, everyone in the pavilion looked towards Yan Yishuang.
Yan Wenjie couldn’t help but smirk. Mother was right; as soon as big sister arrived, there was never a dull moment with the eldest house.
Big sister was not someone to provoke, and neither was the third sister.
A faint displeasure crossed Yan Wenxiu’s heart. As he grew older and understood more, he had been intentionally distancing himself from Shuangxin Courtyard, yet he couldn’t be too harsh on Yishuang and Wenbin.
Daohua gave Yan Yishuang a nonchalant look, ignoring her and pointing at the pastries on the table, “Mother is really biased, getting so many delicious pastries for big brother. But big brother, why didn’t you also call third brother and sixth brother? They’re the ones who enjoy these the most.” As she spoke, she reached for a piece of pastry.
Yan Yishuang spoke again, her face filled with guilt, “Big sister, the pastries were sent by my uncle, and it was I who forgot to invite the third and sixth brothers. Before… before, this is how we always did things, so I just didn’t think of inviting the third and sixth brothers. Big sister, don’t be angry, I’ll go and call the third brother and…”
“Are you tired?” Daohua suddenly interrupted Yan Yishuang.
“Ah?” Yan Yishuang was puzzled; she didn’t quite understand what Daohua meant.
“Bang!”
Daohua threw the pastry in her hand back onto the table, dusted off her hands, and then looked at Yan Yishuang, “I think you and your aunt are quite exhausted.”
After speaking, she looked at the others in the pavilion, “You all continue with your poetry; I won’t disturb you.” With that, she turned and left.
“Big sister, wait for me. I don’t know how to compose poetry either.”
Yan Wenkai immediately dropped the pastry he was holding and rushed after Daohua as soon as she left.
When she stepped out of the courtyard, Daohua looked back at the siblings in the pavilion, who were busy comforting Yan Yishuang, and smirked contemptuously.
“Big sister, why are you walking so fast?”
Watching her fourth brother, who had caught up to her panting, Daohua’s smile became much more genuine, “I’m afraid if I walk too slow, I might catch the disease of being pretentious.”
“Let’s go. I will take you to grandmother’s place and treat you to something delicious.”
At these words, Yan Wenkai’s eyes lit up, “What are we waiting for, let’s go!” Saying so, he took Daohua’s hand and ran with her.
As for the matter of reconciling big brother and big sister, he had long since thrown it to the back of his mind.
In the Jiao Pavilion, Yan Wenxiu watched their retreating figures, his gaze flickering momentarily..